Annual Report

Elkhart County ParksPreservation Education Recreation

2012

Mission StatementThe Elkhart County Parks Department mission is to enhance the quality of life, preserve the County’s cultural, historical, and natural resources; and provide education and recreational opportunities.

Guiding Principles

• Integrity The Department will work toward its mission in an honest and ethical fashion. As a result it will develop a commitment to its customer base and be viewed as dependable in its facilities and services.

• Accountability The Department will strive to be responsive and dependable in dealing with park visitors, citizens and elected officials.

• Quality Service The Department will strive to provide the highest level of service in a fiscally responsible manner bringing excellence to all facilities and services.

• Teamwork The Department will make every effort to retain a diverse staff who will work together to promote a positive attitude, clear communication and support for each other as well as department activities.

• Vision The Department will look to the future by using creativity and continuing educational opportunities to develop new programs and services that will manage, protect and maximize our resources on a sustainable basis for present and future generations.

Elkhart County Park BoardLarry Andrews, PresidentJeff Burbrink, Vice-PresidentKarin Frey, SecretaryJohn P. HardyKaren MackowiakKlaus MuellerWilliam Wilson

Elkhart County Board of CommissionersTerry Rodino, PresidentFrank Lucchese, Vice-PresidentMike Yoder, Member

Elkhart County CouncilJohn Letherman, PresidentDennis Sharkey, Vice –PresidentDavid AsheDavid E. FoutzDavid HessDaryl RiegseckerRandy Yohn

Administrative StaffLarry Neff, DirectorRonda DeCaire, Superintendent of OperationsScott VanOmmeran, Superintendent of ParksMarlene Lantzer, SecretaryRobyn Buenger, Bookkeeper

Parks DivisionMark Renkiewicz, Public Safety CoordinatorGary Plank, West Area SupervisorSteve Gangloff, East Area SupervisorKrystin Hildebrandt, Bonneyville Mill Park ManagerMary Polk, Park IIDenny Dearth, Ox Bow Park ManagerCarl Chupp, Park II/ Jason Woody, Park IOxana Werbiansky, Park IJim Cripe, Cobus Creek ManagerBernard Cunningham, Park IIDenny Paff, River Preserve ManagerLynn Matthews, Park II

Operations DivisionJerry Good, Marketing CoordinatorJohn Jenney, Bonneyville Mill ManagerAndy Langdon, Interpretive NaturalistCourtney Franke, Interpretive NaturalistKrista Daniels, Interpretive NaturalistNick Hoffman, Museum Director/CuratorDiana Zornow, Assistant Museum DirectorRebecca Oestreich, Curator of EducationTerry Hartman, Maintenance IErin Ransom/Sandra Lichtenberger, SecretaryFrank Fisher, Docent

Part-Time StaffJeff Schumacher, Bonneyville MillSandy Lichtenberger, SecretaryFrank Fisher, DocentLillian Heinz, Fee Attendant Carole Mitchell, Fee AttendantDeb Good, LandscaperRonald Yoder, Park ServiceAndrew Berkey, Park ServiceRachel Kauffman, Park Service

Agency Profile Greetings from Administration

From the DirectorThis annual report gives us a chance to provide our public officials and the community a summary of our past year fiscal activity and accomplishments in our parks. It is difficult to mention all that has transpired in the last year but we do know that without the many supporters of the Elkhart County Parks, we would not have such an outstanding park system.

We appreciate all the time, effort and donations that our sponsors, partnerships and volunteers have contributed and maintained throughout the year. With this outpouring of combined support, we have been able to successfully sustain our parks, even in a period of uncertain economic stability.

Our Park Board and staff work hard to provide a quality outdoor experience in our beautiful county parks. We encourage you to have fun in our parks and experience our great outdoors. Thank you for investing in our parks whether working, visiting, or just in enjoying our parks in 2012.

Larry Neff, Park Director

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PartnershipsThe Elkhart County Parks has developed many partnerships throughout the years. Without the financial and physical support of our partners, we would not be able to accomplish so many projects. We sincerely thank all who have supported the parks in so many different ways.

• The Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail donated $88,000 to finish one of the last segments of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. This segment was 1.2 miles and connects county road 35 east to a previously paved section of the trail south of the US 20 tunnel. The Friends also worked tirelessly to clear fence rows, plant native grasses and wildflowers, and sealed our four railroad trestle bridges. • The Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association and the Elkhart County Park and Recreation Board came to an agreement to construct and maintain a mountain bike trail at Bonneyville. The trail will be mostly on the area of Bonneyville south of County Road 8. When complete it will be approximately 6 miles in length.

• This year we continued the stream restoration of Cobus Creek for trout habitat. Joe Mitchell of River Tenders has continued to design and recruit volunteers, mostly from Valparaiso University and various Boy Scout troops in the area.

• The Corson Foundation had awarded a grant to the Elkhart County Historical Society for the remodeling of the “Barn Room” to become the Corson Local History Library and Special Collections Reading Room. Between the Elkhart County Historical Society and the Elkhart County Parks we were able to provide the grant match to move this project toward completion.

• The Elkhart County Snowmobile Association and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources approached the Elkhart County Park & Recreation Board to assist in connecting a small gap in the Miami Snowmobile Trail. This segment of trail passes through the far southeastern portion of Bonneyville Mill County Park. • Pheasants Forever supplied native grass and forbs seed and their drill to plant approximately 8 acres on the east side of Cobus Creek Park. The area is being restored to the original pre-settlement landscape of a white oak savanna. This is our first effort

of working to establish a savanna. Pheasants Forever also supplied seed and drill for the planting of native grasses and forbs along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.

• There were two significant Eagle Scout Projects completed in the Park system in 2012. o Andy Foy completed a set of stairs and a landing on the west side of the Cobus Pond. o Nathan Hite completed an orienteering course at the River Preserve, Baintertown Picnic site. Both projects are of professional quality and have made a significant contribution to our parks and community.

• The Pumpkinvine Trail received an INDOT grant for the completion of the trail connecting the Middlebury Trail to Shipshewana. This segment of trail is a being completed as a partnership between INDOT (construction) and the Elkhart County Park Department (design). This agreement is a winning solution to complete this part of the trail as it is being done simultaneously with another INDOT project on SR 13 through Middlebury. • The Goshen Painters once again assisted in the planning and production of the annual DeFries Gardens Juried Art Show. Many volunteer hours were spent planning, seeking sponsorships, networking with artists, and finding judges and music which culminated into an art show with over 93 entries and 638 visitors.

• The Elkhart County Parks continued to partner with the Elkhart County Soil and Conservation District to plan and provide some of the instructors and sites for the 6th annual fall Indiana Master Naturalist classes. This collaborative program has graduated over 100 adults who then assist with community service projects for conservation agencies in Elkhart County, including the Elkhart County Parks.

• The Bristol Alumni Association has partnered with the Elkhart County Historical Museum to create a fundraising campaign to help raise $50,000 for restoration projects of the former Bristol High School that is now operated as a museum by the Elkhart County Parks and houses the collections of the Elkhart County Historical Society.

Parks• Our Park Administration Office was remodeled to accommodate two more offices.

• Due to the damage being done by the emerald ash borer, the Park Board made a decision to harvest 400 ash trees at an isolated site at the River Preserve County Park. The timber harvest is located in an area almost exclusively of ash trees, the trees to be harvested are 90% ash trees. The department has also been removing ash trees throughout the park system where they threaten public safety or our facilities.• The Pumpkinvine Trailhead at CR 43 east of Middlebury was completed and a bench, kiosk, landscaping and signage were added. This is also the sight of a trail rest room.

• A DeFries Gardens Master Plan was completed, and the framework was laid for the DeFries Gardens Endowment Fund through the Elkhart County Community Foundation.

• The Cobus Pond had a second landing added on the east side.

• An ‘Iron Ranger’ was installed at Ox Bow County Park. The self-serve entry fee system was implemented due to reductions budgets over the past several years. Part-time gate attendants continue to assist on weekends, holiday, and events to provide customer service.

Gardens• The DeFries Gardens in the River Preserve County Park continues to be an asset to the park system. Mrs. Elisabeth DeFries graciously left the Elkhart County Parks with an endowment fund through the Elkhart County Community Foundation that will continue to support the garden in its future endeavors. A marble statue has been placed at DeFries Gardens in memory of this ‘secret garden’ that Mrs. DeFries gave the community.• The Elkhart County Dahlia Society continued its 22nd year of planting a dahlia garden at Bonneyville Mill. Volunteers planted the first garden in 1990, and in 1994 the site became an official American Dahlia Society Trial Garden.

• The Sensory Garden at Cobus Creek County Park welcomed a series a new interpretive signs. Each ‘room’ of the garden now features an explanation of how to experience the beauty of the garden with all of your senses.

Interpretation• The 32nd Annual Elkhart County Parks Photo Contest was once again a huge success with over 221 entries and 849 people visiting the display in the community room at the Concord Mall during the month of January. Two new sponsors were secured and public photography programs were also held in conjunction with the event.

2012 Major Accomplishments

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• Temporary exhibits at the Elkhart County Historical Museum included “The Home Front: Life in Elkhart County during World War II”, “Ted Drake Exhibit”, and “Holiday Memories Exhibit” as well as a traveling exhibit from the Indiana Historical Society entitled “Endangered Heritage.”

• Museum staff spent excessive hours preparing for the Corson Library. This task included dismantling the Barn Room exhibits, doing proper inventory, site prep, and working with contractors throughout the year.

• In addition to the thousands of people reached through public programs, events, and field trips – the interpretation division also attends many outreach events in the community. In 2012, displays were set up at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, Concord Mall Boat Show, Concord Mall Preschool Fair, Goshen Arbor Day, Tulips and Tunes, Master Gardener Annual Garden Walk, Miles Time Capsule Opening, Pumpkinvine Bike Ride, Women’s Health Expo, Science nights at area libraries and schools and Ethos.

• The Currents Information and Program Guide was expanded to include four additional pages of natural and historical education articles. This publication is published three times per year by the Elkhart County Parks to inform visitors of upcoming events and park information.

• Bonneyville Mill opened for its 38th season to the general public and continues to attract over 10,000 visitors each year during open hours and additional visitors while closed. This site is one of the major tourist attractions in Elkhart County which helps to create an economic impact on our community through tourism dollars.

• In the fall of 2012, Master Rick Murray retired from his contractual position with the One Room School House program that was formerly under the One Room School House Incorporated group. The decision was made to bring the One Room School house programs under the wing of the Operations Division and programs will be taught by the interpretive staff and tailored to various ages and time slots. The Elkhart County Parks appreciates Master Murray’s dedication to building the program.

• The Elkhart Public Library now has a link on their website to the Elkhart County Historical Museum’s resource library. This will allow new users to discover the resource collections that belong to the Historical and Genealogical Societies.DeFries Gardens was highlighted as a segment on WNIT’s Outdoor Elements as well as a feature program at the Master Gardener Symposium in Kosciusko County.

Elkhart County Parks received three hybrid vehicles from MACOG that were 90% funded by grants from an air mitigation grant. These vehicles will greatly reduce energy costs in the department.

The Operations Division of the Elkhart County Parks works to educate thousands of people each year in cultural and natural resources. Over 64,806 people were reached through education programs, special events and outreach in 2012. This total includes the following:

Museum9,441 people were reached by Elkhart County Historical Museum staff. Visitors enjoyed field trips, public programs, and general tours of the exhibits and quilt garden. This year over 2,473 people also attended the 4th Annual Gathering of Five Medals event .

One Room School House Master Murray and staff educated 788 teachers and students at the One Room School House in 2012. This popular program continues to grow and is a favorite for those wishing to allow children to experience life in a one room school house.

Interpretive Naturalists/OperationsThe Interpretive Naturalists reached over 41, 948 in 2012. This included over 14,888 people through environmental education programs, public programs, day camps, special events, scout programs, and adult club programs. They also came in contact with an additional 27,060 through outreach at various event booths and exhibits including the Elkhart County Fair.

Bonneyville MillBonneyville Mill was a destination for 12,629 people including 2,358 for historical education programs. The Mill is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Elkhart County as well as facility for hands-on education with local school groups.

Parks, Shelters & AdministrationThere were 412 shelter reservations within the four major county parks. The administrative office also took 5,909 phone calls and 1,283 walk-in visitors. Over 327,000 people visit the Elkhart County Parks on an annual basis.

GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET

Elkhart County Parks Financial SummaryAnnual Visitation

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Appropriated Tax Budgets 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Personnel Services $1,187,696 $1,264,842 $1,176,369 $1,109,940 $1,144,269Supplies $107,650 $120,400 $92,400 $52,275 $52,275Other Services and Charges $168,100 $180,110 $131,575 $98,025$ 98,025Capital Outlay/Adjustment $11,702 $3,920 $0 $0 $0

Annual Operating Budget $1,475,148 $1,569,272 $1,400,344 $1,260,240 $1,294,569

Non-Reverting Operating 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Rentals $35,786 $39,912 $40,786 $40,219 $41,100Program Fees $10,045 $18,792 $24,372 $26,093 $24,071Mill Grain Sales $10,782 $11,858 $11,741 $11,780 $11,988Gift Shop Items $2,650 $1,480 $2,680 $1,783 $1,984Vending Machines $8,463 $8,493 $7,39 $7,59 $8,415Special Events $3,695 $10,42 $12,197 $14,147 $15,129Miscellaneous Revenue $7,114 $8,646 $14,379 $12,251 $12,158

Total Operating Revenue $78,535 $99,605 $113,546 $113,872 $114,845

Non -Reverting Capital 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Gate Fees - Ox Bow Park $51,818 $60,024 $52,066 $57,686 $62,200Other Reimbursements $0 $0 $50,000 $55,600$ 961Investment $4,766 $566 $468 $0 $0

Total Capital Revenue $56,584 $60,59 $102,204 $113,315 $63,161 Donations General Donation $44,419 $78,004 $44,290 $37,322 $183,578Grants/Other Projects $1,150,000 $0 $0 $0 $150,000Investments $28,031 $2,790 $605 $0 $0

Total Donations Revenue $1,222,450 $80,794 $44,895 $37,322 $333,578

Total Revenue $1,357,570 $240,989 $260,645 $264,509 $511,584

REVENUE

DEPARTMENT REVENUE HISTORY

2012 Donations, Grants & Sponsorships

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Event & Project SponsorsBark in the ParkFaithful Friends Pet Cremation ServiceMiddlebury Animal ClinicWellPet

Bonneyville CelebrationClinton Harness ShopCentury 21/Barb Swartley YoderShipshewana HarnessJ & J Lawn CareLaVanture ProductsElkhart County Convention & Visitors BureauJaycoMolded Foam ProductsEby’s Inc

DeFries Gardens Juried Art ShowElectric BrewFirst Source BankGreencroft CommunitiesTopeka PharmacyFaye Peterson/Dave PottingerJoseph & Kay PeirceWaterford CrossingDeWayne Bontrager

Gathering at Five MedalsWelty & Sons Well DrillingMillersburg LumberMoo Cluckin FarmInterra Credit UnionIndiana Community BankIU Health Goshen Home MedicalPheasants Forever

Event Media SponsorsWVPE Public RadioWNIT Public Television

Vintage Base BallHacienda

Sturgis Area Chamber of CommerceHenry Ford/Edison Inst.Elkhart County Historical MuseumElkhart County Historical SocietyBristol Alumni Association Members:Mary RymanJim CulveyhouseGuy & Margaret EnosRobert SchmelingAllan & Nancy ArthurSue StroupBonnie BostianDon & Nancy DicksonRoger NielsenSue Ann CloudJudith & Larry MillerJohn & Marilyn NymeyerNorma Jean LightfootJohn RodySteven & Janet HouserRoger & Corinne RoderickW. Rex & Nancy Gleim

Ox Bow Tower FundJefferson Trailblazers 4-H ClubTroyer, Kathy & TimJoe BuckriesDavid & Janet LehmanStephan MorrisConcord PTOKevin SegnerHurlekant/ChantelleLaMora, ClaudioGarrett CannizzoSteven BirkArlen & Barbara WeltyEllen StevensPrice FamilyWill ZouJake & Chuck ChastainMapleNet/Gene CrusieKaren MackowiakAndrew & Brenda BullerLochmandy MotorsDoris A Oakes Trust

Charles & LeVeta NeffOx Bow Elementary SchoolAll the volunteers and runners and walkers who helped make the 3rd Annual Ox Bow Tower Race a success!

Other Designated DonationsClay-Granger Lions ClubJim & Luanne CripeGoshen Painters GuildElisabeth DeFriesRiver Tenders

Other Program Donations& In-Kind SponsorsConcord MallDutchmaid BakeryMartin’s Pet and GardenLighthouse ImagingABC WarehouseAccents Framing & GiftsConcord MallWalMartGenes Camera StoreShutterhugs Custom FramingMeijerK-MartTravel TenderBig RSafe KidsCliff RiversFred Rogers Crystal PeddlerHarry GoodmanRonald MishlerBeth SholleyMartin’s SupermarketPat FrankeSlick Sticks by Carl ChuppGoodwill of South BendJim KeckShutterhugs

The Elkhart County Parks Department collaborates with many individuals, agencies and businesses through Elkhart County. These park partners ensure successful events, funding and donations for special projects and offer teams of helping hands.

Ancon ConstructionBonneyville Millers Base Ball ClubMark Daniels ArtGerrod Hempel-ArcheryBoy Scouts of AmericaBristol Alumni AssociationBristol Storytelling FestivalElkhart Public LibraryCCJConcord Mall

Goshen CollegeFriends of the Elkhart County| Parks, Inc.Elkhart City Police and K9 DogsElkhart City ParksElkhart County Community FoundationElkhart County Historical SocietyNorthern Indiana Mountain Bike Association (NIMBA)Elkhart County Living Magazine/Maple City MediaElkhart Environmental CenterMiddlebury ParksFriends of the Elkhart County ParksFriends of the Pumpkinvine, Inc.WNIT – Outdoor ElementsElkhart County Genealogical Society

Elkhart County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictNRCSEdible Michiana MagazineIndiana Master Naturalists-Elkhart County Alumni GroupElkhart County Master GardenersElkhart County Convention and Visitors BureauMiddlebury Garden ClubGoshen Public LibraryAnimal Aid Clinic SouthGoshen Painter’s GuildThe Dahlia SocietyTwo Rivers Running ClubRW Armstrong

Park Partners

2012 Volunteers

Liz JacobsGlenda JenneyClyde JensenJaneen JohnsonMike JudsonMary Kauffman-KennelGary KeisterMelissa KinseyEvie KirkwoodCraig KirkwoodMargaret KownoverSteve KuiperKaren LaChanceBrad LantzerMerlin LehmanKerrie LyleJean LynnSteve LynnTony LynnVern MaceKaren MackowiakMary MartinLori MassaVincent MassaJulia MastLynn MatthewsBetty MauzyAndrea McGuireMark McGuireAmy McLaughlinPeter MestelleAllena MichaelsRuth MiddletonTyler MillerDr. Dave Miller Marcus Miller

Neal MillerTina MillerRonald MishlerBrett MitchellCarol MitchellSammy MohlerLindsay NamestnikScott NamestnikSusie NeffClark NiemitaloAlex NovyCarol NovyPatricia O’ConnorAllen PeacheyCrystal PeddlerAlex PettitMia PettitAlice PoselySteve PoselyMarlene PrattDan RaberMarsha RaberJon RaberDave RaberLene RaberCliff Rivers & FamilyDoris RodyFred RogersSusan RoweSarah SassSteve SassScout Troop #744Leland ShaumAaron SchwartzBeth SholleyLawrence Showalter

Katrina SmullenBrett TobiasRay TroyerLori TwiningNatasha TuckerJonathan TysonLarry VardamJason VeenstraTim WaitsTom WatsonPatrick WheelerTerry WileyDiane WilliamsJulia WitmerDiane WynnEmma WynnAndrea YeagerClint YeagerEnos YoderJohn YoderMyron YoderPerry YoderRon YoderCasey Zillman

All who assisted with Eagle Scout Projects

Bonneyville MillersRay BaloughNorma Barrera-MilesSteven CashAdam FlemingAdam FleckMark Garrett

Jason HesslerLamar HostetlerAndrew HicksJames LittlepageBurne MillerJodi MillerKevin MillerMark NovaraPatrick NovaraChris SpataroJason StacyJamie StacyKara StacyConnor StacyCindy Sterling

Elkhart CountyHistorical MuseumTim AshleyTim BainterAndrea Badke Auna Badke Dennis Badke Ervin Beck Maggie Brummer Sarah Brummer Karen Blough Marcia Brenneman Jessica CascianoGrant CatonRobert CulpMary CulpLeon Dean Janice DeanTodd Eads

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A special thank you to all of our volunteers and volunteer groups who help make the park system a better place. Over 2141.8 volunteer hours were accounted for in 2012.

Morgan AlexanderJosiah AndersonTom ArendtJennifer BaldwinBrandon BeachyRuth BeasleyVonda BellTrice BerkleyJaneen Bertsche-JohnsonAnita BentleyJoellen Bernstein Bethany Christian SchoolBig Brothers Big SistersAimee BjornstadtDon BontragerMac BoyerRobyn BuengerDeb BylsmaJim CarpenterBob CarricoShelly ChaffeeEmily ChalupaKim ChildsTravis ChildsCalifornia RoadMissionary ChurchConcord Junior HighGovernment ClassBob & Mary CulpJohn W. DavisLeon DeanLucy Dickey

Maxine DubbsGlenn DyksenLorrie EddsChristine EgendoerferTom EnrightKaren FairfieldAmal FarroughGwen FerlandJudy FerrillLarry FordPat FrankElizabeth FrankeLuke FrankeMary FrankeMax FrankeRoger FrankeKarin FreyJessica FriedenNancy GleimCraig Glick-MillerHarry & Patricia GoodmanDanny GraberSuzanne GrayLindsay GrossmanTom GrubaughCarla GullBecky GuteRobert GuthElaine HarleyDon HershbergerPriscilla HileSteve HiteConnor HoffmanMarilyn HorvathLyman HugSherry HugElizabeth Hummel

Elkhart County Parks211 W. Lincoln AvenueGoshen, IN 46526-3280www.elkhartcountyparks.org

Help Us Rebuild the TowerGive to the Ox Bow Tower Fund

On July 27, 2010 the Ox Bow County Park Observation Tower was destroyed by a suspicious fire. The tower was an icon of the park and had many memories for many people.

Since that time the Elkhart County Parks and community members have started a “Rebuild OxBow Park Tower” Fund.

A new tower is being designed with safety, accessibility, and vandalism in mind.We invite you to be a part of this fundraising campaign to build a new landmark for the next generation.All funds will be placed in a designateddonation fund dedicated solely for the construction and maintenance of the tower site.

Yes – I would like to give to the Tower Fund.Please accept my gift of:q$20 q $50q$75 q $100q $500 q $1000q$2500 q $5000q$10,000 q Other $_________

Please Send a Gift Today!Make checks payable to the Elkhart County Parks and mailed to:Elkhart County Parks211 W. Lincoln Ave.Goshen, IN 46526

Place the words “tower fund” in the memo. A tax deductable receipt will be mailed back to you.

No gift is too large or too small! Thank you for supporting your Elkhart County Parks.